Dataset Information

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards the Prevention of Schistosomiasis Mansoni in an Endemic Area of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil.

ABSTRACT: We analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of schistosomiasis mansoni prevention in an endemic area of Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021, with 412 participants living in the municipality of Feira Grande, Alagoas, Brazil. Data collection occurred through visits to the Health Center Urbano II and Massapê, through an interview with a structured questionnaire to identify the levels of KAP regarding schistosomiasis prevention. Of all respondents, 70.87% lived in rural areas, 22.66% reported a history of past schistosomiasis and 52.71% never participated in schistosomiasis control program actions. Factors associated with better KAP scores were being part of an older age group, not using rainwater and having no history of past schistosomiasis. Specifically, among the domains, attitude was the highest score and knowledge was the lowest. Participation in a health intervention program, knowing someone who had schistosomiasis and having been informed through a public health program seemed to have an important impact on the population's KAP. Our results contributed to broadening perceptions about schistosomiasis prevention, highlighting the positive impacts that health programs and interventions have on disease control.

SUBMITTER: Santos AJD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9864828 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards the Prevention of Schistosomiasis Mansoni in an Endemic Area of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil.

Santos Adriano José Dos AJD Lima Shirley Verônica Melo Almeida SVMA Sousa Alvaro Francisco Lopes de AFL Vasconcelos Dos Santos Aytana A Santos Israel Gomes de Amorim IGA Bezerra Santos Márcio M Feitosa Vera Lucia Corrêa VLC Santos Allan Dantas Dos ADD Primão Juliana Cristina Magnani JCM Andrade Denise de D Silva José Rodrigo Santos JRS

Tropical medicine and infectious disease 20230103 1

We analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of schistosomiasis mansoni prevention in an endemic area of Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021, with 412 participants living in the municipality of Feira Grande, Alagoas, Brazil. Data collection occurred through visits to the Health Center Urbano II and Massapê, through an interview with a structured questionnaire to identify the levels of KAP regarding schistosomiasis prevention. Of all respondents ...[more]

PMID: 36668941

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Project description:BackgroundSchistosomiasis a neglected tropical disease endemic in Brazil. It is caused by the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, which is transmitted by snails of the genus Biomphalaria. Among measures used to control and eliminate schistosomiasis, accurate mapping and monitoring of snail breeding sites are recommended. Despite the limitations of parasitological methods, they are still used to identify infected snails. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic method for the identification of infected snails. In the work reported here, we aimed to validate the use of LAMP for the detection of S. mansoni in snails of the genus Biomphalaria.MethodsSnails were collected in five municipalities of the Mucuri Valley and Jequitinhonha Valley regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Snails were pooled according to collection site and then squeezed for the detection of S. mansoni and other trematode larvae. Pooled snails were subjected to pepsin digestion and DNA extraction. Molecular assays were performed for species-specific identification and characterization of the samples. A previously described LAMP assay was adapted, evaluated, and validated using laboratory and field samples.ResultsUsing the parasitological method described here, S. mansoni cercariae were detected in snails from two collection sites, and cercariae of the family Spirorchiidae were found in snails from one site. The snails were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Biomphalaria glabrata, the main snail host of S. mansoni in Brazil, was detected in 72.2% of the collection sites. Biomphalaria kuhniana, which is resistant to S. mansoni infection, was found in the remaining sites. Multiplex, low stringency (LS), and conventional PCR allowed the detection of positive snails in four additional sites. Trematodes belonging to the families Strigeidae and Echinostomatidae were detected by multiplex PCR in two sites. The LAMP assay was effective in detecting the presence of S. mansoni infection in laboratory (7 days post-infection) and field samples with no cross-reactivity for other trematodes. When compared to LS and conventional PCR, LAMP showed 100% specificity, 85.7% sensitivity, and a κ index of 0.88.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that LAMP is a good alternative method for the detection and monitoring of transmission foci of S. mansoni, as it was three times as effective as the parasitological examination used here for the detection of infection, and is more directly applicable in the field than other molecular techniques.

Project description:BackgroundStudies in murine models and human populations have indicated that the collagen-rich granulomatous response against parasite eggs trapped in the liver is associated with the development of severe hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, characterized by periportal fibrosis and portal hypertension. The role of the humoral response in parasite susceptibility has been well established, but its participation in disease severity remains poorly understood. In this work, we evaluated the relationship between parasite-reactive IgE and IgG levels and schistosomiasis morbidity in infected patients with similar parasite burdens.Methodology/principal findingsNinety-seven Schistosoma mansoni-infected individuals were subjected to clinical examination and abdominal ultrasound analysis. IgG reactivity and IgE concentration against Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens (SEA) and adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP) were evaluated by ELISA assay. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between parasite-reactive antibodies and the co-variables investigated. The study population showed low parasite burden (median 30 eggs/g feces), constant re-infection, and signs of fibrosis was detected in more than 30% of individuals. Most infected individuals showed IgG reactivity, and the median concentrations of IgE anti-SEA and anti-SWAP antibodies were 1,870 and 1,375 ng/mL, respectively. There was no association between parasite burden and antibody response or any parameter of disease severity. However, IgG anti-SWAP level was positively associated with morbidity parameters, such as spleen size and thickness of portal vein at the entrance and secondary branch. In contrast, the data also revealed independent inverse correlations between concentration of parasite-reactive IgE and gallbladder wall thickness, a marker of fibrosis in schistosomiasis.Conclusions/significanceThe data indicate that IgG anti-SWAP is positively associated with severe schistosomiasis, independently of parasite burden, while high production of parasite-specific IgE is associated with mild disease in the human population. Antibody profiles are good correlates for schistosomiasis severity and could be tested as biomarkers of disease severity.

Project description:Parasites are important components of the immense n-dimensional trophic network that connects all living beings because they, among others, forge biodiversity and deeply influence ecological evolution and host behavior. In this sense, the influence of Trypanosomatidae remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine trypanosomatid infection and richness in rats, opossums, and dogs in the semiarid Caatinga biome. We submitted DNA samples from trypanosomatids obtained through axenic cultures of the blood of these mammals to mini exon multiplex-PCR, Sanger, and next-generation sequencing targeting the 18S rDNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify genetic diversity in the Trypanosomatidae family. Shannon, Simpson, equability, and beta-diversity indices were calculated per location and per mammalian host. Dogs were surveyed for trypanosomatid infection through hemocultures and serological assays. The examined mammal species of this area of the Caatinga biome exhibited an enormous trypanosomatid species/genotypes richness. Ten denoised Operational Taxonomic Units (ZOTUs), including three species (Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma rangeli and Crithidia mellificae) and one Trypanosoma sp. five genotypes/lineages (T. cruzi DTU TcI, TcII, and TcIV; T. rangeli A and B) and four DTU TcI haplotypes (ZOTU1, ZOTU2, ZOTU5, and ZOTU10 merged), as well as 13 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), including five species (T. cruzi, T. rangeli, C. mellificae, Trypanosoma dionisii, and Trypanosoma lainsoni), five genotypes/lineages (same as the ZOTUs) and six DTU TcI haplotypes (ASV, ASV1, ASV2, ASV3, ASV5 and ASV13), were identified in single and mixed infections. We observed that trypanosomatids present a broad host spectrum given that species related to a single host are found in other mammals from different taxa. Concomitant infections between trypanosomatids and new host-parasite relationships have been reported, and this immense diversity in mammals raised questions, such as how this can influence the course of the infection in these animals and its transmissibility. Dogs demonstrated a high infection rate by T. cruzi as observed by positive serological results (92% in 2005 and 76% in 2007). The absence of positive parasitological tests confirmed their poor infectivity potential but their importance as sentinel hosts of T. cruzi transmission.

Project description:BackgroundSurra is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi that threatens the health and productivity of camels. Despite its significant impact on camels in Ethiopia, surra has not received as much attention as diseases in cattle and other domestic animals. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of surra, identify the potential risk factors and assess the traditional knowledge, attitude and practices of camel herders towards the disease.MethodsThe study used a parasitological and participatory epidemiological (PE) approach. Between February and July 2022, a total of 335 blood samples were collected from camels across three districts and tested using the buffy coat technique. The PE investigation involved six key informant groups consisting of 8 to 12 key persons, and used a semi-structured interview and various PE tools and principles.ResultThe study found that the prevalence of surra among examined camels was 3.9% (95% CI: 2.1-6.5). The prevalence was significantly higher in camels with a poor body condition score (BCS) (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 1.8-47.5; p = 0.008) compared with camels with a good BCS. However, district, age, sex, and ethnicity had no effect on the prevalence of surra (p > 0.05). The study also found that the packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in parasitaemic animals (18.92 ± 2.63) than in aparasitaemic animals (25.13 ± 4.56). Camels with poor BCS (22.7 ± 3.5) had a significantly (p < 0.001) lower mean PCV than camels with good BCS (26.2 ± 5.0). The PE investigation showed that all the camel herders were well aware of surra, known locally as Dhukana. The clinical symptoms, the season of high incidence, routes of transmission, impact on production, and control methods were accurately described. Moreover, this study emphasized that surra is the primary disease affecting camel health and productivity.ConclusionThe study identified a moderate prevalence of surra in the research area. To reduce surra incidence and associated losses, enhancing veterinary services and providing support for proper camel husbandry practices in the region is recommended. Additionally, future studies should consider using more sensitive and specific techniques like serological and molecular assays, as this study relied on microscopy only.

Dataset Information

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards the Prevention of Schistosomiasis Mansoni in an Endemic Area of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil.

Publications

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards the Prevention of Schistosomiasis Mansoni in an Endemic Area of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil.

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